Latest News and Breaking Stories

live Trump says Israel hit Iran’s gas field without U.S. or Qatari involvement - Middle East crisis, 19th March

U.S. President Donald Trump said Israel struck Iran’s South Pars gas field without U.S. or Qatari involvement, and warned that any Iranian attack on Qatar would prompt massive retaliation. The comments come as regional tensions soar after Tehran fired missiles at Gulf energy sites.

Philippines transport workers strike over gas prices

18:21

Oil Prices

Philippines transport workers strike over gas prices

Transport groups across the Philippines launched a nationwide strike on Thursday in protest against rising oil prices. The action affected 15 to 20 protest centres in Metro Manila, with similar demonstrations taking place across several major provinces.

EU leaders face energy crisis and Ukraine loan deadlock at Brussels summit

16:55

Expert View

EU leaders face energy crisis and Ukraine loan deadlock at Brussels summit

European Union leaders are meeting in Brussels on 19–20 March for a high-stakes summit shaped largely by external geopolitical shocks, with surging energy prices and a stalled €90 billion loan to Ukraine emerging as the dominant issues.

Floods kill 18 in Karachi as heavy rains hit Pakistan’s southern region

14:26

Pakistan Flood

Floods kill 18 in Karachi as heavy rains hit Pakistan’s southern region

At least 18 people have died after floodwaters swept through the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi following heavy rainfall.

14:37

Social media use

Report finds excessive social media use harms young people’s wellbeing

Heavy social media usage appears to contribute to a drop in wellbeing among young people, especially girls, in some English-speaking countries, the World Happiness Report found.

Region

South Caucasus Central Asia Middle East

16:24

View from Afghanistan

Afghanistan and Pakistan pause operations for Eid amid regional mediation

As Afghans celebrate Eid, there is at least some relief, with Afghanistan and Pakistan pausing military operations following mediation by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Türkiye after weeks of tension.

Türkiye stresses importance of keeping Syria out of regional war

17:39

View from Türkiye

Türkiye stresses importance of keeping Syria out of regional war

Türkiye’s ambassador to the United Nations, Ahmet Yildiz, has called for Syria to be shielded from the effects of the ongoing regional war, warning that instability could threaten the country’s recovery.

Russia signals renewed interest in ties with Georgia amid regional tensions

17:45

Russia Georgia Diplomacy

Russia signals renewed interest in ties with Georgia amid regional tensions

Russia has once again signalled its willingness to restore relations with Georgia, with a senior official claiming that support for renewed ties is growing within the country.

China deepens Central Asia ties with energy and trade push

19:04

View from China

China deepens Central Asia ties with energy and trade push

China is strengthening its presence in Central Asia by increasing gas imports from Turkmenistan and expanding trade and infrastructure cooperation with Kyrgyzstan.

Middle East crisis disrupts travel flows, $56B loss and millions of trips at risk

1h ago

Tourism Impact

Middle East crisis disrupts travel flows, $56B loss and millions of trips at risk

The ongoing conflict involving Iran is set to disrupt global travel on a massive scale, with nearly 28 million outbound trips from the Middle East ...

3h ago

View from China

China deepens Central Asia ties with energy and trade push

China is strengthening its presence in Central Asia by increasing gas imports from Turkmenistan and expanding trade and infrastructure cooperation ...

4h ago

Oil Prices

Philippines transport workers strike over gas prices

Transport groups across the Philippines launched a nationwide strike on Thursday in protest against rising oil prices. The action affected 15 to 20...

4h ago

Russia Georgia Diplomacy

Russia signals renewed interest in ties with Georgia amid regional tensions

Russia has once again signalled its willingness to restore relations with Georgia, with a senior official claiming...

4h ago

View from Türkiye

Türkiye stresses importance of keeping Syria out of regional war

Türkiye’s ambassador to the United Nations, Ahmet Yildiz, has called for Syria to be shielded from the effects of the ongoing regional w...

Iran executes three protesters found guilty of killing two police officers

14:39

Iran Protests

Iran executes three protesters found guilty of killing two police officers

Iran has executed three men convicted of killing two police officers during anti-government protests in January, according to state media. The men were executed in Qom, central Iran, on Thursday (19 March) after their sentences were upheld by the Supreme Court.

World

World News

10:29

Morning Brief

AnewZ Morning Brief - 13 March, 2026

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 13rd of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.

18:45

China–Europe Railway

China–Europe Railway Express freight surges 25% in early 2026

Freight transport on the China–Europe Railway Express grew strongly in the first two months of 2026, highlighting the growing importance of rail links between Asia and Europe. The network moved about 352,000 shipping containers between January and February, a 25% increase from a year earlier.

UK sends HMS Dragon to Eastern Mediterranean following drone strike on Cyprus base

19:24

Middle East Conflict

UK sends HMS Dragon to Eastern Mediterranean following drone strike on Cyprus base

Britain has deployed the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon to the eastern Mediterranean to strengthen protection for its military assets in the Middle East after a drone strike targeted a key UK air base in Cyprus earlier this month.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was warned about former U.S. Ambassador's Epstein links

21:07

Epstein files

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was warned about former U.S. Ambassador's Epstein links

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was warned about the "reputational risks" of appointing Peter Mandelson as U.S. Ambassador due to his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, files released on Wednesday (11 March) show.

Business

Business Economy Markets

11:29

Business News

CIS business owners highlight UAE security amid Middle East conflict

The prevailing security situation in the region has done little to deter entrepreneurs from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) who continue to view Dubai as a premier and safe location for business.

China raises gasoline and diesel prices as it pushes greener transport

16:33

Fuel Prices

China raises gasoline and diesel prices as it pushes greener transport

China has raised the retail prices of petrol and diesel after global oil prices climbed sharply. The country’s top economic planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), announced the move after reviewing international oil market trends.

11:28

Global markets

Global markets remain volatile as Middle East conflict drives energy surge

Global financial markets remained on edge on Friday as the escalating war involving the United States, Israel and Iran continued to rattle investors, fuelling volatility in stocks and sending energy prices sharply higher.

China unveils 15th Five-Year Plan to accelerate high-tech industrial growth

19:50

CHINESE ECONOMY

China unveils 15th Five-Year Plan to accelerate high-tech industrial growth

China’s top leadership has unveiled a new push to turn advanced technologies into large-scale industrial priorities as part of the country’s upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan, which will guide economic and social development from 2026 to 2030.

EU sees no immediate oil supply impact from Iran conflict

17:54

Middle East conflict

EU sees no immediate oil supply impact from Iran conflict

The European Commission sees no immediate impact on the European Union's security of oil supply from the escalating conflict in the Middle East, it said in an email to EU governments, seen by Reuters on Monday (2 March).

Culture

Culture News Lifestyle Art

BTS documentary ‘THE RETURN’ to premiere on Netflix after hiatus

16:36

BTS Comeback

BTS documentary ‘THE RETURN’ to premiere on Netflix after hiatus

South Korean pop sensation BTS, one of the world’s biggest music acts known for their record-breaking albums, global tours and devoted fanbase ARMY, will return to the spotlight in a new documentary, BTS: THE RETURN, premiering globally on Netflix on 27 March.

Oscars 2026 Winners: 'One battle after another', 'Sinners' sweep awards

07:37

Academy Awards

Oscars 2026 Winners: 'One battle after another', 'Sinners' sweep awards

'One Battle After Another' tops the Oscars with 6 awards, followed by 'Sinners' which takes 4, 'Frankenstein' 3 and Netflix's most-watched film in its history, 'KPop Demon Hunters' winning 2. There was also the rare event of a tie.

Oscars 2026 nominations announced: 'Sinners' breaks record with 16 nods

20:36

Academy Awards

Oscars 2026 nominations announced: 'Sinners' breaks record with 16 nods

The Academy Awards nominations have been announced, with the crime drama Sinners leading the race securing a record 16 nominations ahead of the ceremony set for 15 March. The event, which honours the film industry’s top achievements over the past year, will be hosted by comedian Conan O'Brien.

We're goin' up, up, up, it's our moment: KPop Demon Hunters sequel is coming

11:09

Cinema

We're goin' up, up, up, it's our moment: KPop Demon Hunters sequel is coming

Netflix has announced a sequel to the hit animated film KPop Demon Hunters, with director Maggie Kang saying she is excited to show audiences what more is in store.

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Result overturned: Morocco now declared 2025 Afcon winners as Senegal stripped of title